"The two have met often in recent weeks to discuss the matter," it claims. Jacobs, who also boasts eponymous brands Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs, renewed his contract as creative director for LVMH fashion house Louis Vuitton back in January. But it's thought that Arnault would prefer Jacobs to give Dior a new direction following the scandal surrounding John Galliano's departure from the fashion house earlier this year.

Jacobs denied he was in line for the job back in March, declaring: "I haven't been asked".